Page 35 of Lightning Angel

“Maybe you weren’t looking well,” Alexa retorted, lifting her chin slightly.

“Don’t try to convince me it wasn’t a suicidal attempt.”

“And don’t try to convincemeyou didn’t catch me in mid-air and pull me back.” Alexa stared him down with a challenge in her eyes, hoping he would back down and give in.

He didn’t.Tough.But he’d need more than that to convince her what happeneddidn’thappen.

“Fine, then.” Alexa huffed. “Neither of us has to convince each other. ButIknow what I felt.”

“And I know what I felt, too,” Tristan said slowly. “It was the most terrifying feeling I’ve ever had.”

Something about the way he said it, the steel in his voice and the intensity in his eyes, made Alexa gulp.

She dropped her eyes from his face. His attire was black; a t-shirt and a zip-up hoodie paired with jeans. Even his shoes and the watch on his left wrist were black. Was black his signature color? Alexa had to admit, black suited him, contrasting with his pale skin. It gave him abad-boy look.

Alexa rubbed her arms for warmth as a gust of wind brushed past them, intensifying her trembling. She heard Tristan unzip his jacket, and the next moment, it was around her. She slipped her arms into the sleeves without protest and pulled it closer, and met his eyes with a grateful glint in hers.

“Thank you.”

Tristan dipped his chin in a nod, his face giving away no emotion. “Don’t mention it. Let’s get you home.”

Alexa didn’t protest as Tristan gestured her toward the direction she had come from, and walked side by side with him. The air was thick with tension as neither spoke another word, until they reached the end of the bridge and Alexa pointed to Cassie’s car.

“I came in my sister’s car.”

“Good. I’ll drive, if it’s alright with you.”

“Sure.” Alexa shrugged, not looking at him. “The key is under the car. I…” She trailed off, refusing to finish the sentence. It’d only confirm him of her attempt at taking her life.

“I’ll get it,” Tristan offered as Alexa was about to bend down. He crouched where she pointed out and looked under the car before reaching a hand to grab the key. When he straightened and dusted off his jeans, Alexa braced herself for any kind of comment.

But he was silent as he unlocked the car and opened the passenger door for her.

Alexa reached for her phone from the dashboard as soon as her door closed, checking for missed calls from Cassie or Daphne. There were none, and she sighed in relief. She wasn’t in the exact mood to talk with anyonenow, even with the gorgeous mystery boy who slipped behind the wheel next to her.

The engine purred to life. Tristan turned on the heater and drove the car back onto the road.

Silence continued, but Alexa wasn’t in the mood to break it; neither did Tristan. They drove in complete silence until they reached the town square and Alexa gave him directions to her house. Not that he asked for it; he didn’t even hum in response as he followed the road she pointed.

Almost like he knew it already.

Alexa’s mind buzzed with the possibility that he could be the mysterious Lightning Knight like Cassie’s previous hunch.

Cassie.

Alexa slumped into her seat and closed her eyes as tears crammed in. She would get to hear her sister’s voice again. She would see her sister again. The fears and uncertainties remained, but she no longer felt like she wanted to die.

Come think of it; Cassie had no one but her. They were each other’s only family and solace. WouldAlexaever hate her sister if Cassie was in her shoes?

No.She told herself without hesitance. Hate was not only a strong word, but it would be the last thing she felt toward her sister. And Alexa couldn’t imagine living without her; her life would be utter hell without Cassie. Together, they could overcome any obstacle, but alone? They’d be as good as dead—lifeless without another.

If Tristan hadn’t saved her… If he had been a moment late…

Alexa hated herself at that moment more than sheever had.

And what of her soul? She knew that a hell with eternal fire and a heaven with eternal radiance were real. She also believed—at least, wanted to—that her dad had found peace in Heaven. If she died, she’d have gone to hell right away. And trying to take her own life was like giving herself a ticket to eternal torture.

Alexa shuddered.